Objective: To evaluate the effects of laugh therapy on selected haemodynamic variable and psychological well-being of hypertensive patients.
Design: quasi experimental design. Setting: Magalir Maruthava Maiyam Veeriamplayam, Coimbatore.
Sample: Forty patients from both male and female above the age of 18 diagnosed to have hypertension were selected for the study, of which 20 were assigned to the control group and 20 to the experimental group.
Conceptual Framework: Callistas Roy’s Adaptation Model was used.
Outcome measures: Haemodynamic variables namely blood pressure pulse and mean arterial pressure were measured before each session of laugh therapy and after laugh therapy and recorded. Pretest score of psychological well-being using Modified Dupey’s Psychological Well-being were obtained and at the end of laugh therapy post test scores were obtained.
Intervention: Laugh therapy techniques were practiced by the patients for 20-30 minutes by viewing the CD assisted laugh therapy prepared by investigartor. It was given at one session per day for 5 days.
Results: Subjects who received laugh therapy reported significant reduction in blood pressure of 125.15/82.2.25 mm of Hg than 140.50/91.50mm of Hg in control group, pulse 79.86 than87.6 in control group, MAP of 97.79 than 108.33 in control group and psychological well being score of 61.75 than 27.2 of control group respectively. There was no association between haemodynamic variable and demographic variables of age, sex and BMI.
Conclusion: The results supported that the incorporation of laugh therapy is one of the best alternative therapy to reduce hypertension and improve psychological well-being.
